2016 discharge: Euratom Supply Agency

2017/2168(DEC)

The Committee on Budgetary Control adopted the report by Bart STAES (Greens/EFA, BE) on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Euratom Supply Agency for the financial year 2016.

The committee called on the European Parliament to grant the Director-General of the Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2016.

Noting that the Court of Auditors stated that it had obtained reasonable assurance that the annual accounts of the Agency for the financial year 2016 were reliable and that the underlying transactions were legal and regular, Members called on Parliament to approve the closure of the Agency’s accounts.

They made, however, a number of recommendations that needed to be taken into account when the discharge is granted, in addition to the general recommendations that appear in the draft resolution on performance, financial management and control of EU agencies:

  • Agency’s financial statements: the final budget of the Agency for the financial year 2016 remained stable at EUR 125 000. EUR 119 000 (95.2 %) of the budget of the Agency derives from the Union budget and EUR 6 000 (4.8 %) from its own revenues (bank interest on the paid-up capital).
  • Budget and financial management: budget monitoring efforts during the financial year 2016 resulted in a commitment appropriations execution rate of 94.34 %, representing a decrease of 4.58 % compared to 2015.

Lastly, Members noted that the Agency processed 344 transactions in 2016, including contracts, amendments and notifications in order to ensure the security of supply of nuclear materials. The Agency advisory committee gave its positive opinion on a draft proposal for its updated rules, in order to bring them up-to-date with current market practices. Members noted that, before entering into force, the proposed Rules must be approved by the Commission. However, the approval process was still not finalised at the beginning of 2017.